[Brandon Holley]

Originally Posted by Big Ideas

Properly installed chain is definitely more efficient then timing belt (or any other drive system). That's why bicycles have gone back to chain time and again. Should be less expensive also. You don't have to order the right length. You don't have to compromise your design to fit an available belt length. Splicing a continuous loop belt is not easy to do well and lowers the strength, torque rating, and durability. You can break chain to remove/install with other drive elements still in place. Timing belts have advantages for noise, accuracy, longevity, low maintenance, set and forget, as well as a back surface that can transport objects.

I bet you would be surprised by how many different lengths timing belts come in. They come in very small increments (on average about .05" increments) from 2.8" up to 220", so you really aren't "compromising" to fit an available belt length.

https://sdp-si.com/eStore/Direct.asp?GroupID=213


I would definitely not recommend trying to splice your own belt for the reason you stated involving lower strength, torque rating and durability.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I think if teams are interested in belts there really isn't a great reason not to give them a shot. There are pros and cons to each setup (chain vs belts), its really up to the team and how far outside their comfort zone they want to step.



edit: apparently i've hit 1000 posts after ~5 years of browsing CD